| Today's Feature Duck Soup.
According to a report from the
Missouri Department of Conservation, received by
Parks and Recreation Department Administrator
Alan Bull, the large amount of waterfowl
continues to foul Kellogg Lake.
Conservation Agent Pitts made
three recommendations to the City: 1-Stop feeding
the fowl; 2-Enact an ordinance prohibiting the
feeding of said fowl by the public and 3-Remove
all domestic birds. The Canadian Geese are
protected by Federal Law and cannot be forcibly
removed.
It was suggested that the ducks
be herded into a pen. "What are we going to
do with them?" a Commission Member asked.
"Eat ‘em. They make
great jerky!" said Commission Vice Chair
Larry Ross jokingly, and laughed.
Bull reported that Pitts said
that a publicly unpopular solution is to herd the
ducks into a pit and cover them with dirt. The
suggestion was quickly and unanimously denied.
Committee Member Don Stearnes
said he had a request for ducks from a farm owner
living near Miller. City Council Member Lujene
Clark, who was in the audience, said she also had
requests for ducks.
The Committee instructed Bull
to advertise free birds as the kindest means of
dispersal.
The discussion then focused on
the Canadian Geese that also reside at the Lake.
Alan Bull introduced information he had
concerning goose decoys that appear to be dead or
badly injured.
A goose and gander decoy are
placed approximately 10-feet apart. According to
the information provided by Bull, the sight of
dead fowl will cause the resident flock to leave.
"Let’s get the dead
ducks. It’s the only humane thing to
do," said Committee Member Jackie Boyer.
Bull said each bird costs $80
and that the total cost will be approximately
$400 to properly decoy the lake area. He said the
only other alternative is a spray which he
didn’t believe was economically feasible.
Tree City USA, a program of
beautification and conservation throughout the
City, was brought into discussion due to proposed
location limits.
Planting near overhead lines
was amended to 15 feet and effectively reduces
the size of tree that can be planted from large
to small.
There are currently 8 species
of small trees that include Pear, Dogwood and
Russian Olive; 21 species of large trees
including Pin Oak, Red Maple and White Oak, and 3
conifers that are approved for planting in
Missouri.
Tree City USA has specific
guidelines in regards to the planting, care and
conservation of the trees and requires the
formation of an oversight group.
"Tree City USA is
prestigious. It can be promoted by Main Street
Carthage or other entities, and it will bring
groups to Carthage specifically to see the
trees," said Boyer.
Bull added that there are two
retired foresters who currently live in Carthage.
Boyer commented that it would be nice if one or
both of them were on the future oversight
committee.
Bull presented three bids for
playground equipment for Carter Park. The
proposed area sizes ranged from 35’x32' to
35’x38' and cost between $16,266 and $19,105
plus installation and ground cover. Each design
included swings and spring teeter seats. When
installed the final cost will be below the
budgeted $30,000.
The proposal of Riggs
Recreation for Plan #3 was accepted by the
Committee. When completed the new area for ages 2
and up will include slide, swing,
‘Zipper’ and other equipment.
The Fair Acres Sports Complex
is well underway said Bull. If everything goes
according to schedule, if the fence is installed,
and if the grass is planted this fall, it will be
ready for use in the spring.
Bull showed the Committee plans
for a concrete, octagonal shaped, two story
concession building. Bull reported that Tri-State
engineer Steve Lett said the shape (8 sides)
increased costs dramatically. Bull said the plan
they were looking at cost about $138,000 to
construct, not including landscaping, and that a
rectangular building was a viable option.
Clark asked about wood
construction. She said that a similar structure
made from cedar had been in use in Georgia for
about 18-years with very little maintenance.
Larry Ross reminded the Committee that the
Beimdiek Insurance building is constructed of
wood and stucco.
"I want the best and most
attractive," said Boyer. "We’ve
got about 80 years left on our lease. This
isn’t something we want to replace in 10 or
15 years. I don’t want to settle for a
concrete building like the police
department,"
Bull said that if there were no
unexpected expenses he would have about $125,000
at the end of the year. A motion was made and
accepted to "go forward" with an
engineer and local architect Steve Morrill.
In other business it was agreed
that all future events requested by outside
entities which involve the use of City owned
parks or recreational areas would be approved
thru Alan Bull, exclusively, thereby avoiding
date, time or group conflicts.
Tom Short also reported that a
previously unknown entity was using the Hall for
meetings without reimbursing the City. He said a
letter was drafted and sent to the group
requesting that they sign a contract with the
City if they wish to continue meeting there. The
Committee unanimously agreed that no group,
regardless of how worthy, shall be approved for a
waiver of contract. Short reminded the Committee
that door locks for the Hall are being re-keyed
with master and sub-master sets.
Short also reported that there
was some confusion over monies from the Boylan
Foundation regarding future improvements at
Memorial Hall. He reminded the Committee that all
construction at City owned buildings must meet
ADA guidelines. He plans to meet with Foundation
representatives.
Boyer said the steps at the
Hall were decaying and suggested that they be
looked at in regards to repair.
A motion was made and passed to
give a vehicle allowance to Bull at a rate equal
to other department heads.
Is Carthage Proud to Have
It’s Own, Beautiful, Functioning Art
Organization ?
by Robin Putnam, artCentral
Let’s see... what’s
happen-ing around here.. ? Some good
news........radio station KRPS 89.9 fm out of
Pitts-burg, Ks. has asked us to provide them with
any and all of our event info so they can put it
out over the airwaves !! It’s a four state
public radio station. We’re very pleased to
accomodate them and hope lots of folks get to
hear about us here in Carthage !!
Aren’t we getting more and
more with the times !! Yea for us !!
The response to our kids
artCamp 99 has been great !! This place will
literally be crawling with kids come the first
week in August !!
There are only a couple of
spots left in those fun filled classes......hurry
and get signed up !!
We are now open on Sunday
afternoons Noon to 4pm thanks to our volunteer,
Dytri !!
We are looking for a few new
Board members if you know of anyone interested
just send us their name. Be sure they know you
are doing so and be sure they are truly
interested since our terms are for three years.
It’s de-finately a committment but it’s
sooo worth while and sooo good for our
com-munity.
How many towns our size have
their very own arts organization ? That actually
has art shows and sells art ? We are very lucky.
artCentral is very lucky
too.....to have the Hyde House for our home. Not
only is it beautiful inside and out it’s a
statement from Katherine as to how important an
arts or cultural center is for a community to
have. We have had visitors from all over and they
all have shared a common feeling (and told us so
) ......that Carthage must be so proud to have
had such a generous and giving person as Ms.
Hyde. And in turn that Carthage must be proud of
the arts organization that is occupying such
lovely quarters.
What do think Carthage....
are you proud of us ? Do we add
to the already great atmosphere of this town ? Do
you mention to your out of town visitors that
this town also has a beautiful art gallery ? And
do you bring them by here to take a peak at
Katherine’s lovely home that has been
lovingly turned into a gallery featuring some of
the best artists this side of the Mississippi ?
Or does it not cross your mind because
you’ve never been here ?
Food for thought.
More next week.
letters to the editor
In response to a letter in
Tuesday's issue.
Dear Lavera,
I am so disappointed you read
my letter and in doing so have decided my place
in eternity, I am so grateful when the battle is
over my place will be determined by God, not you,
not the Jasper Co. Comm., or the readers or
writers of editorials.
To set the record straight I
never once stated in my letter that I was taking
a stand on the side of anything.
The point of my letter was to
bring attention to how issues affecting us all
should be addressed.
Has it ever occurred to you
that there next action may be to take away our
parks, our trees, and oh yes, Precious Moments.
Would you not feel cheated if you as a taxpayer
and citizen of this county did not have the
opportunity to vote for or against.
Lavera, if God is the creator,
which I truly believe, then comparing me to
Goliath may be appropriate. Just remember he
created them both. The story could not be told
minus one or the other. So, I thank you for
helping me make my point. I ask for your
forgiveness for my shortcomings in my first
letter, and in doing so would consider voting for
me should I choose to run for Co. Comm.,
Again, God Bless
Sincerely,
Brent A. Erwin
Editor,
Good morning! I have been
following the Council's seemingly endless debate
concerning residential parking on the 2-300 block
of McGregor. After reading in The Press
last night the "those people don't have off
street parking available," I drove down the
nice paved alley that abuts their property,
noting that some of the residents even have
buildings that I am sure were once intended to be
garages. Seems like there are other options
available, course it would be nice to always have
the street in front of your house clear.
Thanks for listening,
Mike Harris
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